President Ruto impressed by KPA's record performance His Excellency President William Ruto has commended KPA for the impressive performance registered in the year 2024. Consequently, the head of state authorised payment of bonus to staff in appreciation of the attainment of 2 million TEUs container traffic at the Port of Mombasa.
The Port performance recorded an increase of cargo throughput registering 40.99 million metric tons in 2024 against 35.98 million metric tons in 2023. Container traffic grew significantly by 24 percent, registering 2.005 million TEUs in 2024 compared to 1.623 million TEUs achieved in 2023.
President Ruto made the announcement while presiding over the signing of lease agreements for development of industrial parks between Kenya Ports Authority and Afreximbank and between Special Economic Zones Authority and Afreximbank at Dongo Kundu and Naivasha Special Economic Zones respectively.
"Allow me also commend the Board, management and staff of the Kenya Ports Authority for they have done a commendable job. I want to authorize that the staff of Kenya Ports Authority be paid a bonus this year for the good work they have done. In fact, KPA has already attained the target of 2 million TEUs, which was their target for 2028." The agreement is part of a $3 billion Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and AfreximBank, aimed at unlocking private-sector participation in strategic infrastructure development.
It highlights a significant milestone towards the realization and the establishment of Dongo Kundu and Naivasha Special Economic Zones, designed to be a multi-sectoral zone comprising of Industrial Parks, Free Trade Zones/Free Port, Tourism Zone (MICE), Business Service Parks, and Commercial and Residential Zones.
The head of state said that Dongo Kundu SEZ would herald a milestone transformation in the country through the growth of exports and manufacturing. He noted the establishment of special economic zones would see Kenya become self-sufficient in industrial goods that currently consume most of the country's foreign exchange.
“The Mombasa Special Economic Zone is more than a development project; it is a gateway to prosperity, a bridge to industrial competitiveness, and a launchpad for regional trade" the president added. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for their steadfast partnership noting the 2016 MoU laid the foundation for the collaboration.
The President & Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah emphasized that Dongo Kundu, which nestled along Kenya's vibrant coast, will harness its proximity to Mombasa Port to become a nexus for logistics, manufacturing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and trade.